HC Deb 07 March 1978 vol 945 cc576-7W
Mr. Mikardo

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether the dependants of EEC nationals will be excluded from mandatory awards on the basis of residence restrictions;

(2) whether dependants of settled United Kingdom passport holders and Commonwealth citizens will continue to be expected to fulfil the three-year residence requirement or whether she intends to seek to introduce provisions to allocate statutory awards to them irrespective of residence.

Mr. Oakes

Dependants in the categories described must satisfy the same conditions as other applicants for mandatory awards. My right hon. Friend has no present plans to change the residence requirements, which have been a part of the Awards Regulations since the system was introduced.

Mr. Mikardo

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she considers that her circular of 27th January will introduce a discretionary element into an otherwise statutory system.

Mr. Oakes

No. The circular letter is intended to help local education authorities to establish the facts.